{"id":444,"date":"2023-02-20T19:53:10","date_gmt":"2023-02-20T19:53:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/twitter-to-charge-users-for-text-message-authentication\/"},"modified":"2023-02-20T19:53:10","modified_gmt":"2023-02-20T19:53:10","slug":"twitter-to-charge-users-for-text-message-authentication","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/twitter-to-charge-users-for-text-message-authentication\/","title":{"rendered":"Twitter to charge users for text-message authentication"},"content":{"rendered":"

Twitter to charge users for text-message authentication<\/p>\n

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\"Twitter<\/picture><\/span>Getty Images<\/span><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
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Twitter is removing text-message two-factor authentication (2FA) for non-subscribers.<\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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By double-checking the identity of the person logging in, 2FA lets users to add an extra layer of security to their online accounts, beyond passwords.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Common methods include texting users a code or using an authenticator app.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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But on Saturday, the Twitter Support account tweeted only Twitter Blue subscribers would be able to use text-message authentication from 20 March.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Some text-message 2FA users also received an in-app alert telling them to remove the method before the deadline to avoid losing access to their account.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Twitter owner and chief executive Elon Musk tweeted its authenticator app, which would remain free, was more secure.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Twitter had been “scammed” by phone companies and was paying more than $60m (\u00a349m) a year for “fake 2FA SMS messages”, he told a critic of the move.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Use of free authentication apps for 2FA will remain free and are much more secure than SMS https:\/\/t.co\/pFMdxWPlai<\/p>\n

\u2014 Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 18, 2023<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.<\/span>View original tweet on Twitter<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Twitter blogged “bad actors” had abused the method. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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“We encourage non-Twitter Blue subscribers to consider using an authentication app or security-key method instead,” it said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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“These methods require you to have physical possession of the authentication method and are a great way to ensure your account is secure.” <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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But security expert Rachel Tobac tweeted the move was “nerve-wracking”, citing a Twitter report published in July 2022 showing only 2.6% of active Twitter accounts had 2FA turned on between July 2021 to December 2021 but of those:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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